Evidence supporting the use of: Wild yam
For the body system: Gall Bladder

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) has been used traditionally in herbal medicine, particularly in North America and China, for a variety of ailments including digestive discomfort and to support liver and gall bladder health. The rationale for its use regarding the gall bladder is rooted primarily in traditional herbal practices, where wild yam was believed to have antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects that could soothe the biliary tract and aid in the flow of bile. Historically, herbalists have used it for conditions such as "gall bladder colic" and as a general tonic for the digestive system.

However, scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of wild yam for gall bladder health is minimal. Most research on wild yam has focused on its potential phytoestrogenic activity, particularly its diosgenin content, which is a precursor for the synthesis of steroid hormones in laboratory settings but does not convert into hormones in the human body upon ingestion. There are no well-controlled human clinical trials or robust animal studies demonstrating that wild yam positively affects gall bladder function or prevents gall bladder disease.

In summary, the use of wild yam for gall bladder support is based more on historical and traditional uses than on scientific validation. Modern evidence does not strongly support its efficacy for this purpose.

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